Openings have always been a bit difficult for me, protocols that grate on me and two-facedness that I have never understood. But maybe today has been a little different. And I don't believe in coincidences, it was the fruit that is harvested after a good job done.
It is August 19 (when I am writing this), the exhibition Playing between the lines by Tayó: artist from Lanzarote, specifically from Uga, has been opened to the public. All of El Almacén was filled with his works, creating almost a journey to the center of his entrails. Based on the life of the artist, you can see different spaces that transport you to people, places or key moments in life or as the curators say, who speak and write much better than me: "An exhibition that not only seeks to publicize and disseminate the work of Tayó, but also highlights the artistic significance of his career and his work itself...".
Another very interesting aspect was seeing how for the first time, the reality of what they named was found not only in the works exhibited, but represented directly with the event. There was talk of intergenerational channels, of dialogue with memory, with the landscape, with our environment, family, etc... and it was all there. Artists from all disciplines, young and old, women and men, attended and enjoyed the highly recommended exhibition.
And speaking of discourse, I want to highlight first of all that of the artist, which I consider was up to the level of the visual work (although some dared to joke about its duration). I would have loved to continue listening to him much more. Which is why I quickly scheduled the dates of the talks and presentation of the catalog that will take place later (September 13 and October 31 respectively).
I have spoken with many artists since I have been working here on the island and listening to a current discourse with a view to the future seems super complicated to me. Tayó has it. After some anecdotes that he tells and under a discourse full of honesty, he spoke of a different Lanzarote. He commented on the idea of the island as a border and not as a periphery. A term with which he once again gave the potential to an island full of “misery” (and he clarified that not culturally) to be the gravitational center of art, making good use of contemporary tools.
Let's take note.
In short, it has been another point that the plastic arts in Lanzarote have added, noted by David Machado and Lana Corujo, curators of the exhibition. The best thing that institutions are doing is trusting professionals like them. Their speeches at the presentation raised applause and emotions. Two artists who transmit honesty, sincerity and above all, a lot of professionalism. My words for them are no different: total admiration for their work. They have approached the project with care, attention and respect. Leaving egos aside, and working for and for art. A line of work that I admire.
I recently finished a book where there is talk of movements that are generated periodically in the cultural panorama of Lanzarote. If they are being generated now, it is thanks to them, among others. With people like you, the Canary Islands are moving forward. Thank you for speaking so loudly and clearly.
For my part, I would like to make one last reading and well, give a little space to criticism or reflection. And I think we have a lot to envy, yes. The plastic arts are thrashing us, and they continue to add points. Musicians, performing artists, artists in general, let's get our act together. Let's join forces, let's wake up.
